A Model for My Daughters
“My name is Sulav. I am a divorced mother of three daughters, and I do my best to support my family under difficult circumstances.
The memories I personally cherish most are the successes of my daughters, even despite our hardships. When my eldest daughter graduation, she proudly wore the dress that I hand-made for her graduation ceremony. I was proud, I was smiling, and I felt happy for her. It reminded me of the days back in Sinjar years ago.
I try to remain supportive and proud of my daughters and maintain a positive outlook myself, even though in Iraq women usually lack educational support and employment opportunities. Three years ago, I learned how to knit and weave carpets, and this has allowed me to help support my daughters financially.
My dream is to one day open my own carpet making business where I can earn a living by using the skills I have learned. In Iraq, Yezidis are vulnerable, and I would say women are also vulnerable. But we have made some progress now, and I am doing this for myself and for other Yezidi women, including as an example for my daughters.
I believe that Yezidis value humanity in our culture. We try to treat others fairly, regardless of religion, face, ethnicity, or other details of people’s backgrounds. We cherish and respect human beings and we welcome others.
Five years from now, I hope to continue working in the carpet-making collective group, or to have opened my own shop by that time. Life for me and our community has not been easy these last years. The work has helped me to cope with pain, sorrow, and helped to build a sense of belonging, as well as providing more financial independence.
I also would like to thank everyone, especially FYF. Whenever people come and make an order for Yezidi made carpets and crafts, we as artisans receive most of the profits. So I am glad that this system helps support Yezidi artisans, and I also want to thank everyone who has thought of us and has bought Yezidi-made crafts!”
